Nadia district administration on Wednesday announced a weeklong lockdown from August 8 in eight municipality towns, including Krishnagar and Chakdah, and 25 gram panchayat areas to contain the spike in Covid-positive cases.

With 57 fresh positive cases detected on Wednesday, the number of total active cases in Nadia is 999 now.

According to the order issued by Nadia district magistrate Vibhu Goel, the lockdown will be imposed from August 8 midnight. The district administration has identified eight civic areas and 25 gram panchayats as “extended contaminated zones” for it.

Among the eight towns are Krishnagar, Chakdah, Gayeshpur, Haringhata, Kalyani, Ranaghat, and Santipur. Among the 25 gram panchayats are Brittihuda, Chapra-1 and 2, Mahatpur, Debagram, Mira 1, Bhanderkhola, Bhatjungla, Deypara, Dogachi, Majhdia-Panchshila, Bethuadahari 1 & 2, Karimpur 1 & 2, Betai 1, Chitka, Kanainagar, Natna, Tehatta, Palashipara, Tatla 2, Kanchrapara, Saguna and Nokari.

All shops, including roadside dhabas, tea stalls, eateries, market complexes, government and private offices, except essential services, will remain closed.

All religious and social activities, except pre-scheduled marriage ceremonies and last rites in case of deaths, will remain suspended. All transport facilities travelling to and from the district will not ply. Long-distance buses and other vehicles will be allowed to travel on NH-12 that crosses the district but can’t halt in areas under lockdown.

Goel told The Telegraph there was no need to panic, but there was a need for precaution. “There will be no relaxation for shopping during morning hours too,” Goel added. “We have given two days’ notice in advance so that people can store their essentials in advance in sufficient quantities.

They should have no need to step out of home during the lockdown, except in exceptional circumstances. Only essential ones like medicine shops will be open.”

At present, there are 121 positive cases in Chakdah, 480 in Gayeshpur, 76 in Kalyani, 39 in Krishnagar, 54 in Ranaghat and 47 in Haringhata.

Birbhum timings

Modifying its Tuesday order, Birbhum district administration on Wednesday announced lockdown in six blocks and areas under Nalhati Municipality from 2pm to 10pm. The administration had earlier ordereda 24-hour lockdown in these places. The change in timings has been done to distribute midday meals in schools in areas under lockdown.